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Looking to buy a 1st gen

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Old Nov 24, 2008 | 02:31 AM
  #1  
cmanns's Avatar
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From: The yay, California
Looking to buy a 1st gen

My friend found me a 82 (Looks like a sa) I've seen it at night, super clean just covered in leaves

Guy said hes replaced the carb, all clutch components, distributor, etc

Has bra, louvers, black interior, all in good condition.

Theres only a few dents.

How do 1st gens handle compaired to fc's? I'd store my 7 and daily drive this thing if I got it.

he wants a thousand, I'd have to sell my fc to get that quick, so I'm looking to sell everything I got I don't need I love 1st gens just never drove one.

I know I should compresson test it but I'm not worried about the condition of the engine, aslong as the body isn't rusted at all. The area the cars in, its always hot cept winter, doubt theres much rust the 79SA we got has little rust in it from the same area.

So is a thousand for a very very very clean red exterior black interior 82 good deal? thats apparently had tons of stuff replaced? I'm going to look at it when I get there and make sure to see new looking parts... or I'm going to try to lower the price.
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Old Nov 24, 2008 | 02:53 AM
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how many miles ??? the 12a engine is pretty durable bro would be great for daily driving ... only thing is warming her up but shouldnt be too bad good luck
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Old Nov 24, 2008 | 03:18 AM
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Not sure, I only saw it at night I'm gonna be going down there this weekend probably, I'll take a look and some pics
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Old Nov 24, 2008 | 08:05 AM
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FB's handle very well. Chassis could use more power, IMO, and the later model cars tend to understeer at the limit, from what I've read and felt about my '84. Can't go wrong with RED.
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Old Nov 24, 2008 | 01:06 PM
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i believe 1st gens handle pretty ******* good considering they have no power steering lol. so if you're used to power steering then you'll think it's crap, but sooner or later you'll learn to like it.
you can do a quick compression test by taking one of the leading plugs off and listening for 3 straight whooshes then repeat with the other leading plug.

other than that it sounds like a good deal, if the engine is crap it definitely won't be worth 1k haha
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Old Nov 24, 2008 | 01:25 PM
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If the asking price is $1000, then the seller will likely go lower. How much lower jus depends on his current situation. Alot of sellers of these kind of cars who arent big enthusiasts just simply want the thing out of their yard and will likely go down $200-$300 if cash is in hand. But if they ARE somewhat of an enthusiast and they come across as knowing their **** re: the rotary/7, then they may not budge.

Either way, if its in as good condition as u claim, and its worth it to YOU, then thats all that matters. Go there with $200 in one pocket and $800 in ur other pocket (or however u wanna divy it up). Look it over, pull out the $800 and offer it to him. I doubt he will turn down eight crispy 100 dollar bills when they are staring him in the face. If he doesnt budge, tell him you can go to ATM and pull out another $100 but thats as much as you can go. You dont want to simply reach in ur pocket and pull it out as that may **** him off a little Take a trip around the block and come back.
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Old Nov 24, 2008 | 01:39 PM
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A nice body and black interior, eh? Sounds good to me.

The main problem with the handling of FBs, particularly S1s and S2s like the one you're looking at, is that the rear suspension tends to bind up under certain conditions, causing rather unpredictable oversteer at the limit. There are a number of things you can do to remedy this. Easiest is to just unhook the rear sway bar. It won't handle like an FC, but you may actually like it better.

Last edited by PercentSevenC; Nov 24, 2008 at 01:41 PM.
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Old Nov 24, 2008 | 02:12 PM
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Originally Posted by blackdeath647
i believe 1st gens handle pretty ******* good considering they have no power steering lol. so if you're used to power steering then you'll think it's crap, but sooner or later you'll learn to like it.
you can do a quick compression test by taking one of the leading plugs off and listening for 3 straight whooshes then repeat with the other leading plug.

other than that it sounds like a good deal, if the engine is crap it definitely won't be worth 1k haha
How does power steering have anything to do with handling?
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Old Nov 24, 2008 | 02:45 PM
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Once you drive the FB and get to push it, you'll want to sell the FC cause it won't be the same(I had an 89 GXL that I got rid of for another 1st Gen). Next time you check it out, take pictures. Check everywhere for rust(wheel wells and under the storage bins). Also make sure the year is correct and vin numbers match just to cover yourself. If it's clean, in good shape, and has new parts I'd say it's worth it but test out how low they will go. You may be suprised and get a great deal. Good condition black interior is hard to find and is sought after so keep that in mind.
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Old Nov 24, 2008 | 03:12 PM
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Originally Posted by cmanns
How do 1st gens handle compaired to fc's? I'd store my 7 and daily drive this thing if I got it.
they are different and both fun in their own ways . The biggest difference I notice is the rack and pinion power steering in my 89, 80 more HP and the variable intake after 6000 rpm .

The 79 with manual everything, lighter chassis , a carb , choke, is just a real fun old 100 HP car to drive hard on any corner you can find. Also much more fun to work on.
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Old Nov 24, 2008 | 03:59 PM
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Smoke moar
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Originally Posted by ourxseven
they are different and both fun in their own ways . The biggest difference I notice is the rack and pinion power steering in my 89, 80 more HP and the variable intake after 6000 rpm .

The 79 with manual everything, lighter chassis , a carb , choke, is just a real fun old 100 HP car to drive hard on any corner you can find. Also much more fun to work on.
yeah I work on our 79SA, havent driven it but my bro has and for a auto (for the time being) pulls hard.

I don't got cash to fix his car tho and its a auto plus he knows i want a 1st gen so he was looking out for me.

I hope it's got p/s I love p/s, I'll look over it for rust.

jones75240 thats a great idea, he said hes sellign the car for how much in new parts he put it in before his son got killed, and its just been sitting and he just wants what hes put in for the new parts (Maybe it used to be his baby before then and he was just fixin it up?)

I dunno I'll see when I end up going down there =)
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Old Nov 24, 2008 | 04:22 PM
  #12  
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It won't have power steering if it's an '82. It was only available in '84-85. Honestly, these cars don't really need it.
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Old Nov 25, 2008 | 04:44 AM
  #13  
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Oh well on the 79 it is kinda easy to turn the wheel, only if your moving through.
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Old Nov 25, 2008 | 01:58 PM
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When are you getting the car, Chris?
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Old Nov 25, 2008 | 02:22 PM
  #15  
cmanns's Avatar
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Once I sell enough stuff to afford it =)

may sell the fc, depends on how my stuff sells and yeah.
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Old Nov 25, 2008 | 02:24 PM
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Originally Posted by cmanns
Oh well on the 79 it is kinda easy to turn the wheel, only if your moving through.
That's why the steering wheel's so big.
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Old Nov 25, 2008 | 05:55 PM
  #17  
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You wouldn't believe the tiny steering wheels I see on some FBs.
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Old Nov 25, 2008 | 08:04 PM
  #18  
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Mine is a couple of inches smaller diameter than stock. I love it.
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Old Nov 26, 2008 | 09:52 AM
  #19  
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One of the nice things about manual steering... you can always tell when your tire pressure is getting low.
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Old Nov 26, 2008 | 10:43 AM
  #20  
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My first 7 was an FC, still have it as a DD. It feels heavy compared the nimbleness of a 1st gen. Both the FC and widebody have PS, added it to the widebody due to the huge tires. With the wide tires, the wb feels heavier, but not as much as the FC. With the usual suspension upgrades, 1st gens are a hoot to drive/toss around with near stock tires. The wb has gotten scary with all of the handling mods since it probably pulls 1.1g+ on a skid pad.

1st gens still retain the old school sports car feeling, 2nd gens have more of that 'luxo barge' feeling. Buy the 1st gen, you won't be disappointed in the handling if all of the shocks/struts/springs/brakes and steering components are up par. I got carried away and have over 3.5k in suspension/brakes alone. I'll soon be done with all of that once the rear big brake kit is installed. I'm running 9/10X15" wide rims.
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Old Nov 29, 2008 | 02:11 AM
  #21  
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I like the way my FB handles over how my TII did. I think the TII could actuallyhold more grip, but the FB is more forgiving. IF I lost grip in the TII, the DTSS would send me into a tank slapper and eventually a 180 degree turn, hault, and if I forgot to hit the clutch, a flooded engine. The FBs predicatbly slides and recovers like nothing ever happened.
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Old Nov 29, 2008 | 12:13 PM
  #22  
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Originally Posted by '87 turbo II
I like the way my FB handles over how my TII did. I think the TII could actuallyhold more grip, but the FB is more forgiving. IF I lost grip in the TII, the DTSS would send me into a tank slapper and eventually a 180 degree turn, hault, and if I forgot to hit the clutch, a flooded engine. The FBs predicatbly slides and recovers like nothing ever happened.
One question for you: have you removed the rear swaybar? That's something I haven't tried yet, but I plan to next time I have the car up in the air.
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